The Electoral Committee for APC Governorship Primaries in Lagos State has commenced the accreditation of ad hoc delegates ahead of the voting exercise to select the party’s candidate for the 2023 general elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC Governorship Special Congress is holding at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly known as Onikan Stadium, on Lagos Island on Thursday.
The accreditation of ad hoc delegates started at 1:14 p.m from one local government to the other.
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In his opening remarks, Alhaji Adamu Yuguda, Chairman of the five-man committee, described the exercise as very important, hence the need for patience and cooperation.
Yuguda, a former Borno deputy governor, lauded the ad hoc delegates and party leaders for their patience, saying that the event was worth every sacrifice.
“Let me say that this is an important assignment. We are here to renew the mandate of APC in Lagos state.
“I know in Lagos, APC is one house and one family. Lagos is indeed very important to APC,” Yuguda said.
He described the task of the electoral committee as tedious, hence the need to be meticulous.
NAN reports that out of the three contestants for the APC governorship ticket, only the incumbent, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was on ground at the time of its commencement.
Other two aspirants in the race: a former Commissioner, Mr Wale Oluwo, and a former Permanent Secretary, Abdul-Ahmed Mustapha, were yet to arrive as at the time of filing this report.
Security personnel were strategically positioned at various entrances and within the premises of the venue.
The event is being conducted under heavy security presence and the watch of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Some of the security agencies at the venue were the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Police Bomb Squad, Private Security among others.
Earlier, Mr Ademola Sadiq, the Chairman of the Accreditation Sub-Committee for the governorship primary support committee, told NAN that no fewer than 1,225 delegates were being expected at the congress. (NAN)
